By the point I used to be 15, I used to be properly conscious Santa wasn’t placing presents underneath the tree for me. However that didn’t make Christmas Day 1997 any much less magical — particularly given all the brand new backpacking gear I had requested “him” for. Brimming with pleasure, I tore by way of the crinkling, colourful wrapping paper. All the colours of our tree’s lights splashed reds, greens, and yellows over my keen arms.
Even earlier than I may see it, I knew: The unmistakable form of a tube — a tube that held my very first inflatable sleeping pad.
For 3 years main as much as that comfortable morning, I had lugged round an open-cell egg crate sleeping pad on my in a single day outside adventures. It afforded many nights of sleeping comfortably underneath the celebrities or in my tent (even on rocks and roots).
However it was the scale of a soccer tackling dummy when it was rolled up. It by no means match inside my pack. As I sat in my flannel pajamas on that fateful morning, I spotted these nights had been over.
Sadly, I quickly discovered that the sacrifice for packability was a superb evening’s sleep. I’ve since accepted sleeping on compact, light-weight sleeping pads that preserve me up off the chilly floor, though all of them appeared to let the bumps seep by way of.
This summer time, Therm-a-Relaxation introduced the NeoLoft sleeping pad, a 4.6-inch-thick rectangular backpacking sleeping pad. The pad promised to carry consolation to the backcountry, with an R-value of 4.7 for year-round use and the flexibility to pack right down to the scale of a Nalgene bottle. The considered comfy nights got here speeding again. I needed to check it out.
Briefly: Therm-a-Relaxation has made an enormous step ahead for backcountry sleeping pads. The NeoLoft packs down ridiculously small for its inflated dimension, and its insulation makes it acceptable for year-round use. Better of all, the thickness and building make for a very comfy evening’s sleep for space-conscious backpackers.
In the event you’re available in the market for backpacking sleeping pads, take a look at our information to the Finest Backpacking Sleeping Pads.
Common (mannequin examined):
Weight:
1 lb., 9 oz.
Size:
73”
Width:
22”
Packed dimension:
5.7” x 9.5”
R-value:
4.7
Thickness:
4.6”
Materials:
50d poly knit (prime), 75d poly knit (backside)
Value:
$240
4.6” of sentimental loft
4.7 R-value for year-round consolation
Quiet
Rolling off this sleeping pad hits completely different
Solely out there by way of REI as of proper now, and their inventory is promoting quick
Nick LeFort
Therm-a-Relaxation NeoLoft Sleeping Pad Assessment
Design & Options
(Photograph/Nick LeFort)
The core of the NeoLoft sleeping pad is an progressive course of that Therm-a-Relaxation coined the ContourCore Matrix. Based on the model, this refers back to the mixture of design and supplies — a comfortable, sturdy, stretchy knit cloth — that permits the pad to contour, cushion, insulate, and pack down small.
In the case of the texture of the NeoLoft, the closest factor I can evaluate it to is a gel ice pack. In a phrase, I’d name it “supple.”
The NeoLoft features a high-volume pump sack. Nevertheless, I like to recommend you save that for a backup. As a lot as I respect a pump sack as a substitute of utilizing my breath, it’s not sensible in all situations. Additionally, it requires extra effort than you would possibly need to exude after a day on the path.
We used the Flextail Tiny Pump 2X to shortly inflate the NeoLoft sleeping pad in underneath a minute, making setup quick and environment friendly; (photograph/Nick LeFort)
I picked up a Flextail Tiny Pump 2X and won’t look again. The Flextail has a built-in mild and a sequence of adapters for varied purposes. It’ll additionally final you 10-15 inflations earlier than it must be recharged.
TwinLock Valve System
A part of NeoLoft’s packability and luxury derives from its two-valve design. The “In” valve accommodates speedy inflation, whereas the “Out” valve permits fast deflation. And some mild twists on both valve permit you to fine-tune the firmness of the pad.
This TwinLock Valve System additionally seems on Therm-a-Relaxation’s premium-tier sleeping pads, just like the MondoKing 3D, LuxuryMap, and NeoAir Topo Luxe. A fast have a look at the MondoKing 3D reveals the place the inspiration for the NeoLoft got here from.
Foundation for Comparability
(Photograph/Nick LeFort)
I’ve been backpacking with a regular-sized Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir sleeping pad for the final 8 years. At 20 inches huge, 72 inches lengthy, and three inches thick, it’s a benchmark for contemporary sleeping pads. I’ll reference it all through this evaluate as a foundation for evaluating NeoLoft’s attributes.
As Therm-a-Relaxation continually updates its sleeping pad assortment, the NeoAir has lengthy since been changed. It’s now greatest represented by the NeoAir XLite NXT (which was named GearJunkie’s Finest General Backpacking Sleeping Pad).
You’ll observe that each pads have the identical dimensions. The highest-level advantage of the NeoAir XLite NXT is that it has virtually double the NeoAir’s R-Worth. That’s vital to think about in case you backpack year-round.
Within the Discipline
The Nemo Tools tent and the NeoLoft sleeping pad required minimal effort for a full setup, accomplished in simply 5 minutes; (photograph/Nick LeFort)
To cowl each angle in testing the NeoLoft, I spent two nights within the woods, two in my yard, and two in my front room. This gave me a well-rounded really feel for the way this extra-cushy sleeping pad performs on completely different terrain, and in each heat and chilly situations.
The primary two nights I spent with the NeoLoft had been within the woods. I used to be crashing exhausting once I obtained the place I wished to pitch my tent. Between the tent (Nemo Tools Dragonfly Bikepack OSMO) and the sleeping pad, I had camp arrange in about 5 minutes. Utilizing the stuff sack, full inflation took roughly 1 minute.
I spent the following two nights in my yard, with the tent pitched on some lush grass. The primary two nights within the woods had solely gotten right down to the 50s. Nevertheless, this subsequent tour slipped down into the mid-30s. Mixed with my Sierra Designs Backcountry Mattress, the NeoLoft offered essentially the most comfy evening’s sleep I’ve ever had with my backpacking sleep setup.
The NeoLoft sleeping pad carried out properly in the lounge, proving its consolation on a flat ground; (photograph/Nick LeFort)
Sleeping in my front room for the ultimate two nights gave me a management take a look at to match with. The temperature inside was 68 levels, and the wooden ground and space rug had been each flat and even.
On all six events, the sleeping pad by no means misplaced firmness. Nevertheless, on three of the nights — two within the woods, one in my front room — I rolled off the pad. In these situations, I awoke cuddling it like a teddy bear.
I’m a much bigger man, and I transfer round quite a bit, particularly when I’m not at house in mattress. Although the built-in aspect rails of the NeoLoft support in its consolation, they couldn’t maintain me in place.
I awoke with my ribs in opposition to the forest ground at an odd angle and was not a contented camper for a number of hours. This was not a deal-breaker for me, nonetheless. The NeoLoft’s thicker, firmer cushion nonetheless beat hanging off of a 3-inch-thick Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir (as I’ve for the final 8 years).
So, in case you’re a little bit wider, I like to recommend you contemplate the Common Large or Massive NeoLoft pads. At 5 inches longer and 4 inches wider, the soar to the Massive from the Common shall be noticeable. Nevertheless, its pack dimension is similar because the Common Large and solely 2 ounces heavier. Sizing up will add a slight value — $10-20 additional for the Common Large and Massive, respectively.
After waking up with my ribs on the forest ground, I recommend choosing the Common Large or Massive NeoLoft pads for additional area; (photograph/Nick LeFort)
I awoke with my ribs in opposition to the forest ground at an odd angle and was not a contented camper for a number of hours. That being the case, in case you’re a little bit wider, I’d suggest you contemplate the Common Large or Massive NeoLoft pads.
At 5 inches longer and 4 inches wider, the soar to the Massive from the Common shall be noticeable. Nevertheless, its pack dimension is similar because the Common Large and solely 2 ounces heavier.
For reference, the pack dimension of the Common NeoLoft is 5.7 x 9.5 inches and weighs 1 pound, 9 ounces. The Common Large and Massive are 6 x 11 inches with a 2-ounce distinction in weight (1 pound, 14 ounces, and a pair of kilos, respectively).
Professional tip: There’s sufficient room within the stuff sack for the NeoLoft and the Flextail or one other small pump of your selection.
How’s It Sound?
One of many recurring considerations with sleeping pads constructed from light-weight, sturdy supplies is how a lot sound they make — suppose swishes and crinkles.
I’m comfortable to report that the supplies used on the NeoLoft are a few of the quietest I’ve tried. Does that imply that it’s utterly silent? No. However it’s quieter than the bulk.
Weight Commerce-Off
(Photograph/Nick LeFort)
The typical backpacking sleeping pad weighs underneath 1 pound packed. The NeoLoft weighs practically 2 kilos in its stuff sack. This is likely to be a turnoff for anybody counting ounces. In contrast with these in our Finest Backpacking Sleeping Pads information, the NeoLoft sleeping pad could be the fifth heaviest.
The NeoLoft, for my part, is a luxurious sleeping pad. It makes use of its rectangular form so as to add extra room, and its double-stuffed quantity is a boon for consolation. The pad is an unimaginable innovation that almost all will welcome with open arms and less-achy backs.
Meals for thought: When evaluating the NeoLoft pad to a pad just like the NeoAir, the NeoAir is the “need to have,” whereas the NeoLoft is the “nice to have.” For my cash, it’s well worth the improve in case you can spare a pound in your pack.
Therm-a-Relaxation NeoLoft Sleeping Pad: Conclusion
For a compact, light-weight sleeping pad that excels year-round, the Therm-a-Relaxation NeoLoft is a good improve; (photograph/Nick LeFort)
Together with the remainder of the backpacking neighborhood, I’ve satisfied myself through the years that I don’t should be that comfy sleeping once I camp. It’s extra vital that my sleeping pad packs right down to take up as little area as attainable in my backpack.
A sleeping pad that inflates to virtually 5 inches thick may pack right down to be as small as a Nalgene, which might have appeared too good to be true simply a short while in the past.
Nonetheless, I haven’t examined it in below-freezing temperatures. The coldest it ever obtained at evening was 36 levels, however even then, I couldn’t really feel the bottom’s chilly creeping up by way of the pad. With an R-value of 4.7, the pad ought to suffice for year-round tenting in most situations.
In the event you’re in search of a light-weight, compact, comfy sleeping pad that’s good for all seasons, this sleeping pad has your title throughout it. Inside one use, you’ll respect how straightforward it’s to inflate and fine-tune its firmness.
You’ll additionally respect its comparative quietness. And within the morning, after you’ve gotten an exquisite evening’s sleep, you’ll love how shortly it deflates. All in all, the Therm-a-Relaxation NeoLoft is the full bundle sleeping pad I’ve been ready for.
